Can Rooftop Tent be Installed on SeaSucker Monkey Bars Roof Rack

Question:

hi there: Can you put a rooftop tent on the SeaSucker Monkey bar? and what is the static weight limit on the bar?

asked by: Li

Expert Reply:

The SeaSucker Monkey Bars Roof Rack # 298-SX6000B would be able to handle the dynamic (or weight while moving) weight of a Thule Tepui rooftop tent (or any rooftop tent for that matter) but the issue is with the static weight rating which is what it can hold when the vehicle isn't moving.

Since you'll have people up in the tent when it isn't moving you need a roof rack that installs via OEM rails whether they are flush or raised - they provide more support so you can safely utilize a rooftop tent. If you look at the instructions for any rooftop tent you'll see that they tell you not to use a roof rack that uses the roof alone to support the weight. This would apply to roof racks that use a clamp to the door jamb as well as the Monkey Bars.

If you let me know what the year/make/model is of your vehicle or if you have another vehicle that does have OEM rails to install a roof rack on I'd be more than happy to see if we have any other alternative options!

expert reply by: Jon G

Soowook

3/22/2024

Thank you so much for your clear explanation. I have Toyota Sienna 2018 bare roof (no roof rail). is there any way that I can have roof top tent?

Jon G.

3/28/2024

@Soowook For your 2018 Toyota Sienna that doesn't come with the raised rails I recommend finding an aftermarket raised rail kit and then then using the Malone AirFlow2 Roof Rack # MAL74AR to carry a roof top tent. My wife and I own a 2010 Town and Country and although most Town and Country vans come with raised rails, ours is a base model and there aren't any clamp-style roof racks so I'd have to do this same thing. When I've looked into it you can find raised rail kits for about $300 but I'd do some research into any specific brand you're looking at just to make sure they are a respectable brand. Unfortunately we don't have raised rail kits available here at etrailer.com.